Into Thin Air

Contributed by Alexei, gr. 12, Jan. 2019

I enjoyed reading Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and highly recommend it. This true adventure story tells of the tragic and deadly 1996 season on Mount Everest from the author’s perspective, providing a comprehensive, mostly unbiased explanation of the attempted ascent and subsequent descent of Everest by multiple expeditions.

 Krakauer was naturally intrigued by Mount Everest in his earlier years as a climber, but he is given the opportunity to climb the tallest mountain as a journalistic venture, writing an article about the commercialism of Everest. The process of summiting Everest is thoroughly explained, detailing the acclimatization journeys up and down sections of the mountain, the several points of interest (and peril) such as the Hillary Step and the Khumbu Icefall, and the hired Sherpa people endemic to the region’s critical role in allowing alpinists to reach the peak. However, the oncoming disaster mentioned in the beginning of the novel contributes to an ominous anticipation that some of the mountaineers are to never return.

I would recommend this book because of how the author describes the events on Mount Everest. The depiction of the utter exhaustion and delirium one can feel with little oxygen powering your movements and the thin line presented between resolute ambition and reckless self-importance were particularly thought-provoking to me. Those who enjoy reading true stories in a unique setting or just have a general interest in mountaineering or Mount Everest would find enjoyment in this non-fiction book.